Pen Duick French Sailing Boat

The Pen Duick is one of the most famous sailing boats in French maritime history and is closely associated with the life and adventures of Éric Tabarly, one of the greatest sailors of the 20th century. The ship itself has a long and eventful history, dating back over a century, and plays an important role in the development of modern sailing.
Early history and creation

The Pen Duick was originally designed in 1898 by the renowned Scottish yacht designer William Fife III and built in Ireland by the Gridiron & Marine Motor Works shipyard. The boat was originally built under the name Yum for a British owner, who, however, changed the name to Pen Duick shortly afterwards, which means ‘great tit’ in Breton. The name refers to the first owner's original residence in Brittany.

The boat was designed as a gaff-rigged cutter and impressed with its slender shape and speed. Over many years, the Pen Duick changed owners several times before it came into the hands of Guy Tabarly, Éric Tabarly's father, in 1938.
Éric Tabarly and the restoration

Éric Tabarly, who was to become an icon of competitive sailing, took over the Pen Duick after his father's death in 1952. At that time, the boat was in extremely poor condition. The wooden structure had deteriorated to such an extent that extensive restoration was necessary. Tabarly, who had a deep love and passion for this boat, decided to restore it completely. However, it was not an easy undertaking, as the restoration posed enormous financial and technical challenges.

Tabarly decided to replace the Pen Duick's hull with a new one made of fibreglass-reinforced plastic, which was an innovative and daring decision at the time. The result was a boat that retained the classic lines of the original design while meeting modern demands for speed and durability.
Triumph and success

With the restored Pen Duick, Tabarly began to take part in numerous ocean regattas. His breakthrough came in 1964, when he won the ‘Single-Handed Trans-Atlantic Race’ (Transat) from Plymouth to Newport. This victory catapulted him into the international sailing world and made him a national hero in France.

The Pen Duick and its successors, also named Pen Duick and designed or sailed by Tabarly, achieved many more victories in the following years and earned Tabarly worldwide recognition. The Pen Duick series of boats is a symbol of innovation, maritime tradition and the pioneering spirit in sailing.
Legacy

Éric Tabarly died tragically in 1998 when he fell overboard and drowned while sailing at sea. However, the Pen Duick lives on as a legacy and is now maintained and sailed by enthusiasts and lovers of seafaring. The boat is not only a piece of seafaring history, but also a symbol of the passion and dedication that Tabarly brought to sailing.

The Pen Duick has inspired many people over the years and remains an important part of France's maritime culture. It is a living testimony to the rich tradition of sailing and the enduring fascination that the sea and shipping hold.

The Pen Duick model boat kit is designed to replicate the real boat in the finest detail. The deck is laser cut and fully engraved to provide a surface finish very similar to the real boat. The kit includes all the parts needed to build the model. Laser-cut formers in linden plywood, complete hardware in solid wood, brass and die-cast metal. A brass photo-etched bow contains numerous details. The deck superstructures are veneered with oak. The cotton sails are already sewn and ready to be installed.

The instructions for construction are only available as a step-by-step video tutorial that you can watch for free on YouTube. The kit does not include any paper instructions! The coloured plans with several 1:1 views of the model and the parts list are included in the kit as paper.

Technical data:
Scale: 1:28
Length: 550mm
width: 94mm
Height: 765mm